The company closed 2008 with positive numbers as market share increased to 10 percent statewide and closed units increased by 5.5 percent over 2007. With nearly 5,000 sales associates in 95 offices, the companyís closed sales volume was $8.8 billion in 2008. ìOur business has increased as a result of planned, calculated initiatives. One out of 10 buyers and sellers are choosing Coldwell Banker for their real estate needs. The ability of our sales associates to counsel sellers to price their properties appropriately for success in todayís market has helped stimulate activity and maintain our position as market leader,î said Clark W. Toole III, President, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.

In addition to effective pricing strategies, Toole attributes the positive numbers to the companyís strong continuing education program, extensive Internet and multimedia marketing, an extensive global network and a vision to the future. According to Toole, ìOur sales continue to increase as more consumers trust the reputation and strength of the recognized Coldwell Banker brand in todayís market.î The Brooks Rose Supplemental Brand Awareness Study, October 2006, reports that the Coldwell Banker brand enjoys 96 percent brand awareness among consumers.

Coldwell Banker is a market leader because it pays attention to the market. Pricing inventory control ñ Coldwell Banker held three successful 10-Day Sale Events in Florida in 2008. Nearly 4,000 homes listed by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate participated in the event. In Florida, over 200 homes were sold during the price improvement event. Price reduction ranged from 5 percent to 22 percent. In its continued effort to maintain its pulse on the market, Coldwell Banker recently hosted free educational seminars to first-time homebuyers throughout Florida. The seminars, attended by nearly 400 people, addressed the first-time homebuyer tax credit, common issues for the first-time homebuyer, the options available to the first-time homebuyer and current market conditions.

As a result of the free seminars, Coldwell Banker sold over 20 homes and it is working on many more contracts. Many buyers are finding bank-owned properties attractive. Coldwell Bankerís year-end percentage of sales that were bank-owned was 27 percent. ìPrices are coming down and it is allowing new levels of affordability of luxury properties in Florida,î said Toole.

With the company market share steadily climbing over the past three years, from 8.4 percent in 2007 and 7.2 percent in 2006, Coldwell Banker reported December their best month for closings with a 44.3 percent increase statewide in closed units from December 2008 over the same period in 2007.

In terms of closed units, 2008 brought forth an increase in most regions over 2007. Southwest Florida was up by 55.9 percent, followed by Central Florida with a 9.6 percent increase. Sarasota and Manatee Counties were up by 6.3 percent followed closely by Broward County with 6 percent. Tampa Bay and Palm Beach increased by 1.4 percent and .06 percent, respectively. In 2008, Coldwell Banker closed over $74 million in international sales in Florida. Although the number of people moving to Florida has dropped, the fact is they are still choosing the Sunshine State as the place to live.

As part of its commitment to utilizing cutting edge technology in real estate, Coldwell Banker announced recently that company listings are now accessible to iPhoneô and BlackBerryÆ users in 28 countries via a customized platform. When viewed on an iPhoneô, BlackBerryÆ or other smartphone, the www.coldwellbanker.com Web siteís special navigation features provide optimal viewing. ìBuyers and sellers can use their mobile devices to search for Coldwell Banker properties easily in any part of the world,î said Toole. Potential homebuyers from 174 countries in six continents visited www.floridamoves.com in April of 2009. The top countries from which users visited the site were Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Uruguay, Venezuela and the Philippines.

The increase in market activity means that Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate experienced an increase in new contracts of 50 percent from December 2008 over December 2007. The year-end figure points to a 12.8 percent increase in contracts written over 2007. According to Toole, ìThe numbers tell the story that we are doing many things right as we evolve to be an even greater company. An impressive 54 percent of our sales associates achieved a greater volume of sales in 2008 than they did in 2007. Whatís more, over 560 experienced associates joined Coldwell Banker in 2008. An unprecedented number of Florida real estate companies showed an interested in joining forces with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.î

Results from The Buyer/Seller Response Summary Report, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 report high customer satisfaction numbers as 78 percent of sellers would use the same sales associate again when selling or buying a property and 85 percent of sellers would definitely recommend their sales associate to friends, family and colleagues. The report indicated 96 percent of buyers were satisfied to thrilled with the home buying process. 98 percent of buyers were satisfied to thrilled with the sales associate. Market knowledge and an understanding of consumer needs help sales associates in referrals. Buyers rated the value of the services the sales associate delivered as exceptional. Sales associates rated high in closing preparation, coordination of details, representation of interests, response to calls and resolving issues.

Toole is proud of the winning solutions that support the companyís successful transactions. ìColdwell Banker is committed to helping buyers and sellers by providing the full advantages of a complete range of real estate services, including mortgage providers and home warranty services,î said Toole. Homes with a warranty against costly repairs sold an average of 23 days faster, at an average of four percent higher at closing and closer to the list price.*

Coldwell Banker has added numerous Web sites to its online marketing effort, including FrontDoor.com, Zillow, AOL, Cyberhomes, HomeFinder.com and more. Through the companyís search engine advertising investments and the exposure generated by its listing distribution strategies via leading Web sites, all of the Florida listings are exposed to over 10 million potential homebuyers every day.

Based on U.S. Census Bureau annual population projections, Florida, now the fourth most populous state, will edge past New York into third place in total population by 2011. Florida, California and Texas will account for nearly one-half (46 percent) of total U.S. population growth between 2000 and 2030.

ìOur company has remained solid, strong, secure and committed to our founding principles since 1906. Since then, we have weathered hurricanes, world wars and recessions, and our legacy is a result of our proven commitment to excellence. Coldwell Banker has the strength, stability, knowledge and resources to make the American dream of homeownership a reality for families for the next 100 years,î stated Toole.